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Microsoft drops Windows 10's 'messaging everywhere' feature
When the Windows 10 Anniversary update arrives this summer, it will be missing one thing we were expecting: messaging everywhere. The feature Microsoft has been testing was similar to Apple's crossplatform iMessage integration, and Google's SMS-via-Hangouts. Switching on "Send texts on all my Windows devices" enabled users to send and receive text messages from the Messaging app on their computer that synced directly with the app on their phone.
Windows 10 won't let you share WiFi passwords any more
Remember Microsoft's WiFi Sense? One of its cornerstones is the ability to share password-protected WiFi networks with contacts, saving them the hassle of logging in when they visit. Unfortunately, though, there weren't many people enamored with the idea. Microsoft has pulled WiFi Sense's contact sharing in its latest Windows 10 Insider preview build after noting that it wasn't worth the effort given "low usage and low demand." It'll remain intact on slower Insider builds and regular Windows 10 releases for now, but it should disappear for everyone when the Anniversary Update hits in the summer.
Windows 10's anniversary update goes big on education
In addition to upgrades for Cortana and improved pen support, the Windows 10 anniversary update will also include several apps and features to make life easier for schools. Likely taking a cue from the rising popularity of Chromebooks in the classroom, Microsoft is making Windows 10 setup faster for shared computers. Teachers will be able to configure devices on their own with a new "Set Up School PCs" app, and Microsoft says that logging into a new account for the first time should take around 26 seconds (afterwards, logins should take just 6 seconds). That's not exactly zippy for a first-time login, but it sounds faster than previous versions of Windows.
Microsoft's Edge browser is clamping down on Flash, too
"Adobe Flash isn't responding." It's the message you can feel coming as soon as your browser grinds to a halt and you abandon all hope of salvaging what you were working on. Well, if you're a developer that's part of the Windows Insider program and have grabbed Windows 10 build 14316, you're living in a future where the aforementioned nightmare scenario sounds less likely. Microsoft is changing how its Edge browser handles Flash elements by disabling all but those that it says are central to the page you're viewing, like games or Flash-based video.
